A data storage library is described that essentially provides a write once and read many (WORM) conversion device integrated with a picker device all of which are inside of the data storage library. One embodiment contemplates that after receiving a request to store data in a WORM arrangement on a tape cartridge in the data storage library a tape cartridge selected from a scratch pool of tape cartridges can be converted to a WORM tape cartridge via the picker device, during the normal activity of using a picker device to grasp the selected tape cartridge.
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11. A tape library comprising:
at least one tape drive;
a plurality of tape cartridges, each of the tape cartridges possessing a write protect switch;
a robotic transporter possessing a picker device, the picker device providing a means for grasping and releasing one of the tape cartridges at a time; and
means for toggling the write protect switch between an on and off position.
14. A tape library comprising:
at least one tape drive;
a plurality of tape cartridges, each of the tape cartridges possessing a write protect switch;
a robotic transporter possessing a picker device, the picker device possessing a pair of opposing grippers adapted to grasp one of the tape cartridges at a time by squeezing opposite sides of the tape cartridge, a finger extending from and beyond the end of one of the grippers, said finger adapted to engage the write protect switch.
1. A method comprising:
providing a tape library with a scratch pool of tape cartridges, at least one tape drive, a robotic transporter possessing a picker device, the picker device possessing a pair of grippers that are substantially diametrically opposed, the grippers adapted to grasp opposite sides of one of the tape cartridges, a finger extending distally from one of the grippers;
receiving a request to store data in a write once and read many (WORM) arrangement on one of the tape cartridges from the scratch pool;
selecting a tape cartridge from the scratch pool of tape cartridges, the tape cartridge possessing a write protect switch that when moved to a closed position prevents writing to the tape cartridge;
moving the tape cartridge from the scratch pool of tape cartridges to the tape drive via the robotic transporter;
loading the tape cartridge into the tape drive;
storing the data to the tape cartridge via the tape drive;
engaging the write protect switch via the finger after the storing step; and
moving the write protect switch to the closed position via the finger after the engaging step.
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None.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tape libraries write protecting tape cartridges in tape libraries.
2. Description of Related Art
Data storage libraries, such as tape libraries, are typically used to store and retrieve large amounts of data for data manipulation and archiving purposes. These libraries are generally comprised of drive devices adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges that are often housed within the tape libraries. In the interest of protecting stored data from being overwritten, write once and read many (WORM) schemes can be employed on storage media. For example, CDs and DVDs can only be written once. Tape cartridges can be rewritten over and over, but can be write protected by manually toggling a write protect switch turning that tape cartridge into a WORM tape cartridge. The write protect switch on the tape cartridge is designed to be toggled by a human fingernail, obviously outside of any tape library or tape system. In fact, any tape cartridge designated as a WORM tape cartridge is done so when the tape is new and before loading the WORM tape cartridge in a tape library.
It is to improvements directed to WORM designation of tape cartridges that both methods and apparatus are disclosed herein. It is to innovations related to this subject matter that the claimed invention is generally directed.
The present invention relates generally to dynamic write protect of tape cartridges within tape libraries overcoming the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art by dynamically changing write protect on a tape cartridge using WORM designation station/s within a robotic tape library so as to create a WORM tape cartridge within tape library without the intervention of human hands or the designation of a WORM tape cartridge through software mapping.
One embodiment of the present invention can therefore comprise a method comprising: providing a tape library with a scratch pool of tape cartridges, at least one tape drive, a robotic transporter possessing a picker device; receiving a request to store data in a write once and read many (WORM) arrangement on one of the tape cartridges from the scratch pool; selecting a tape cartridge from the scratch pool of tape cartridges, the tape cartridge possessing a write protect switch that when moved to a closed position prevents writing to the tape cartridge; moving the tape cartridge from the scratch pool of tape cartridges to the tape drive via the robotic transporter; loading the tape cartridge into the tape drive; storing the data to the tape cartridge via the tape drive; engaging the write protect switch via a write protect toggle device integrated with the picker device after the storing step; moving the write protect switch to the closed position via the write protect toggle device after the engaging step.
Other embodiments of the present invention may additionally provide a tape library comprising: at least one tape drive; a plurality of tape cartridges, each of the tape cartridges possessing a write protect switch; a robotic transporter possessing a picker device, the picker device adapted to grasp and release one of the tape cartridges at a time; a write protect toggle device integrated with the picker device, the write protect toggle device adapted to engage the write protect switch associated with the one of the tape cartridges and adapted to physically toggle the write protect switch between a write position that allows a tape to be written to via the tape drive and a write protect position that disables the tape drive from writing to the one of the tape cartridges.
Yet further embodiments of the present invention may comprise a method comprising: providing a tape library with a first and a second tape cartridge, the first tape cartridge possessing a write protect switch that when moved to a closed position prevents writing to the first tape cartridge, at least one tape drive, a robotic transporter possessing a picker device; receiving a request to write protect data stored to the first tape cartridge; storing the data to the tape first cartridge via the tape drive; engaging the write protect switch via a write protect toggle device integrated with the picker device after the storing step; moving the write protect switch to the closed position via the write protect toggle device after the engaging step; grasping the first tape cartridge while the first tape cartridge is at least partially retained in the tape drive; removing the first tape cartridge from the tape drive via the picker device; and transporting the first tape cartridge to a shelf system in the tape library via the robotic transporter.
Initially, this disclosure is by way of example only, not by limitation. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation, shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, which generally include, but are not limited to, dynamically switching a tape cartridge between being write protecting and being able to be overwritten inside of a tape library without intervention of human hands. It will be appreciated that the principles herein may be applied equally in other types of situations involving similar uses for write protect to protect against data overwrite on magnetic tape consistent with the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Referring to the drawings in general, and more specifically to
The data storage arrangement illustrated in
With continued reference to
Method step 606 refers to selecting the tape cartridge 101 to be converted in a WORM configuration from the WMRM scratch pool 104. Selecting the tape cartridge 101 can be relegated to a predefined parameter associated with each of the tape cartridges 101. For example, because tape cartridges 101 converted to a WORM configuration will possibly never be over-written once data has been written to the tape medium 208, it may be advantageous to choose a tape cartridge 101 based on a predefined parameter such as a previously used tape cartridge. The predefined parameter is envisioned to include the most used tape cartridge having the most run time on it (e.g., the most reads and/or writes), a tape cartridge that has been previously written to the most, a tape cartridge that has been previously read the most, a tape cartridge that has been loaded the most times into a tape drive 122, a tape cartridge that has been simply used previously from a pool of tape cartridges that have never been used, a tape cartridge that has been previously used multiple times (that is more than once), the oldest tape cartridge in the WMRM pool 104 even if the oldest tape cartridge has never been used (oldest being defined as the earliest manufacturing date of the tape cartridge relative to all the other tape cartridges), one of the oldest tape cartridges in the WMRM pool 104, and the like.
Method step 610 is directed to moving the tape cartridge 101 from the scratch pool of tape cartridges 104 to a tape drive 122 via the robotic transporter 110 and picker device 400 based on the request. Method steps 612 and 614 are directed to loading the selected tape cartridge 101 into the tape drive 122 and storing data to the selected tape cartridge 101 via the tape drive 122 what a cooperating relationship, i.e., a read/write relationship is formed. After the data has been written and they selected tape cartridge 101 is ejected from the tape drive 122 (i.e., no longer in a read/write engagement with the internal mechanisms of the tape drive 122), the write protect toggle device 406 engages the write protect switch 202 when the picker device 400 grasps the selected tape cartridge 101, as featured in step 616. Once the write protect switch 202 is moved to the “closed” position on the selected tape cartridge 101 via the write protect toggle device 406, the selected tape cartridge 101 is write protected until the write protect switch 202 is moved to an “open” position. Certain embodiments contemplate that the moving step 610 through the moving step 618 are done entirely within the tape library 100. Certain embodiments contemplate receiving instructions to switch the selected tape cartridge 101 to write protect the data therein with the instructions to select the tape cartridge from the scratch pool of tape cartridges 104/106, while other embodiments contemplate receiving instructions to switch the selected tape cartridge 101 to write protect mode is received sometime after selecting the tape cartridge 101.
Embodiments of the present invention can be commercially practiced in a Spectra Logic T-Finity tape cartridge library manufactured by Spectra Logic of Boulder Colo., shown in
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present technology to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, multiple or even predetermined pluralities of scratch pools can be managed for example, while still maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Another example can include using these techniques across multiple library partitions, while still maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, though WORM tape cartridges may be selected from the scratch pool of WMRM tape cartridges based on a parameter, embodiments contemplate selecting a WMRM tape cartridge for conversion to a WORM tape cartridge based on random selection, some order of first chosen last chosen, new tape cartridges, all tape cartridges, downgrade older versions of tape cartridges, etc., for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, for purposes of illustration, a first and second tape drive 122 and tape cartridges 101 are used herein to simplify the description for a plurality of tape drives 122 and tape cartridges 101. Finally, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to tape drive systems, and related technology, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the claimed technology can be applied to other systems, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology.
It will be clear that the claimed technology is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the claimed technology disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various aspects have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
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